Clear Lake

Growing up just 20 miles north of Clear Lake, we were there quite often for different reasons (doctor visits, boating with friends, cookouts at State Park, eating at The Half Moon, 4th of July fireworks, etc.).

One of my favorite reasons for going to Clear Lake as a kid? Girl Scout Camp.

The first year at camp was just 3 days and 2 nights. I was nervous I would be homesick at first, but ended up loving it. That first year I stayed in Robins Roost. A day and a night were added with each year, so by the end I was staying a full week.

To me, this place was magical. It was a week of fun-filled activities: singing, playing games, arts and crafts, swimming, canoeing, camp fires, singing, meals in the lodge, raising and lowering the flag each day, getting treats at canteen, and more singing (lots and lots of singing). I usually went with a few girls from my troop, but also loved meeting the other campers and counselors.

It might not look like much, but this is the view I couldn’t wait to see each summer – the arrival at camp! This was also the saddest spot at the end of camp – we had so much fun, we didn’t want to go home!

Terrace of the Winds (TW): this is the exact spot where I learned to build a campfire:

We sang SO much at camp. We sang songs at breakfast. At lunch. At dinner. During campfires. Walking between activities. All. The. Time. One of my favorite songs was called Dreams. It’s so great to re-read these lyrics now – so powerful. What a great message to share with young women as they are growing up and discovering who they are.

May all your dreams bloom like daisies in the sun May you always have stars in your eyes May you not stop running not until your race is run And may you always have blue skies

A dream is something you can make to keep within your heartTo build on when you’re sad or when you’re lost and torn apartA dream is something all your own that no one else can stealA dream is something you make real

May all your dreams bloom likes daisies in the sun May you always have stars in your eyes May you not stop running not until your race is run And may you always have blue skies

You can share a laugh with any stranger that you meet and you can share your money…with a beggar on the street But you can only share a dream when love has set it free Please won’t you share yours with me

May all your dreams bloom like daisies in the sun May you always have stars in your eyes May you not stop running not until your race is run And may you always have blue skies

I loved the singing very much, but I also loved the time we spent at the Craft House. It looked exactly as I remembered. One summer, we made leather bracelets with our names imprinted on each one. Crazy that I still remember these kinds of things, but I really, really loved my time here.

Now that I’ve been back to visit this camp, I am adding Waterville, MN to my list of places to wander again. The place where we spent our family vacations every summer as a kid.